Hands-on inventor

Henderson contractor debuts device at SEMA

General contractor Mark Giberti demonstrates the EasyPuller during the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Nov. 2, 2011. Giberti invented the EasyPuller for his own use but never had time to develop the product until the economic downturn, he said. The EasyPuller by Las Vegas Tool combines locking pliers with a slide hammer.

Mark Giberti is inventor of the Easy Puller, a plier-like tool that clamps objects and uses a pulling force to remove them. The general contractor runs Las Vegas Tool out of a Henderson warehouse. He debuted his invention this month at the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the largest automotive trade expo in America. Giberti took a few minutes away from his launch to speak with VEGAS INC.

How long have you been in business?

We’re brand new. We formed the company a little over a year ago. SEMA is really the unveiling of a product I invented over 20 years ago.

I’m a general contractor here in town, and I’ve just always been too busy. This economy gave me some time.

Why launch at SEMA?

There are a lot of uses for this tool, but some of the best are automotive. Being that we’re local, it made sense. And this being the first time the public has seen it, we were very interested in hearing people’s comments.

We’ve had lots of really good feedback. We were also awarded runner-up for new product in the tools and equipment category. It’s very nice recognition.

Tell us about the Easy Puller.

It’s really good for boats that are corroded or parts that are bent or under pressure. It’s perfect for knocking things out. It also has construction uses. I’ve used it over the years for finishing nails or nail guns that misfire.

I’ve used it for door pins. It’s very versatile. (The Easy Puller retails for $39.99 and is available at www.lasvegastool.com).

Where did the idea come from?

Out of necessity. I had an old ‘68 Ford Bronco when I was in high school, and I needed to get the alignment pins out. Those pins are press fit inside the engine block. There’s no way to get to them or around them, and there was no tool to get them out. In the past, people used pliers or manhandled them and beat the heck out of them.

I made three different prototypes of the tool, and I made some for family and friends. I’m 49 now and finally trying to do something with it.

Any advice for other entrepreneurs?

If you think it’s a great idea, go for it. Spend a lot of time researching to make sure your product doesn’t already exist. We hired lawyers to do that for us before we applied for our patent.